Smoking tobacco market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Spanish smoking tobacco market operated under a new regulatory framework established by Royal Decree 579/2017, which introduced manufacturer registries and stricter labeling rules, while the transposition of the European Tobacco Products Directive further standardized requirements. The market faced a slight contraction in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and consumer price sensitivity continued to influence purchasing behavior into 2021.

A strong post-pandemic recovery, fueled by returning tourism, drove market growth from 2022. Sales volume increased by 6.1% in 2022, supported by a significant tourism rebound in the Balearic Islands, and rose a further 3.6% in 2023. During this period, authorities also intensified actions against illicit trade, dismantling numerous clandestine production facilities.

In 2024, the market volume reached 13 505 tonnes despite the implementation of stricter regulations, including a ban on flavorings in heated tobacco products and the introduction of a new tax on e-cigarette liquids. The continued growth in units sold, alongside a reported increase in tobacco turnover, reflected resilient demand within an evolving regulatory landscape focused on plain packaging and public health warnings.

Production smoking tobacco in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of smoking tobacco in Spain.

Exports smoking tobacco from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018, showing a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain exported 338 tons of smoking tobacco, representing a substantial year-over-year increase of 75.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 352 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 45.4% drop, while the largest increase happened in 2018 with a 138.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Europe (not elsewhere specified), and Canada remained the primary destinations for Spain's smoking tobacco exports. The United States accounted for 34.7% of exports in kind, Europe (not elsewhere specified) for 21.1%, and Canada for 14.5%. Together, these three markets represented 70.3% of Spain's total smoking tobacco exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's smoking tobacco exports in monetary terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6.9 million US dollars, marking a sharp 47.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 45.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 15.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe (not elsewhere specified) was the dominant market for Spain's smoking tobacco exports in value terms, accounting for 70.7% of total export value. Other destinations collectively represented a smaller portion of the export market.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports smoking tobacco to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's smoking tobacco imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 12 133 tons, reflecting a modest 3.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 278 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.3% decrease, while the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 4.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of smoking tobacco to Spain. Germany accounted for 40.9% of imports in kind, Poland for 23.3%, and the Netherlands for 10.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 74.2% of Spain's total smoking tobacco imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's smoking tobacco imports totaled 265.6 million US dollars, showing a modest 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 0.6% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 with an 8.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands consistently led Spain's smoking tobacco imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 43.8% of import value, Poland for 19.6%, and the Netherlands for 13.8%. Collectively, these three suppliers represented 77.3% of Spain's total smoking tobacco import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020